Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus

ABSTRACT

Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus for connection with a control valve on a pressurization bottle and adapted for pressurization of a fluid container. The apparatus includes a coupling device including a female socket for connection with the pressurization bottle, a male plug telescopically received in such female socket and quick disconnect coupling means for coupling the plug in such socket. A regulator assembly is formed with an inlet connected with the plug and includes an outlet port and a bleed valve. Conduit means is provided for connecting the outlet with the fluid container whereby the socket may be mounted on the pressurization bottle, the plug connected therewith and the conduit means connected with the fluid container to pressurize such container to a selected pressure. When it is desirable to disconnect the pressurization bottle from the container, the control valve on the pressurization may be closed and the bleed valve opened and the quick disconnect coupling means actuated to release the plug from the socket to thereby disconnect such plug without necessitating use of wrenches and the like.

United States Patent 1191 Harris [4 1 March 6, 1973 [76] Inventor:Harold Ronald Harris, 17421 Canter Street, Garden Grove, Calif.

22 Filed: Feb. 12,1971

21 Appl.No.: 115,010

[52] US. Cl. ..l37/583, 137/798, 251/148, 285/86 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6l29/00, Fl6k 45/00 [58] Field of Search.....l37/583, 557, 63, 231, 234.5

Primary ExaminerWilliam R. Cline Attorney--Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee& Utecht [57] ABSTRACT Quick disconnect pressurization apparatus forconnection with a control valve on a pressurization bottle and adaptedfor pressurization of a fluid container. The apparatus includes acoupling device including a female socket for connection with thepressurization bottle, a male plug telescopically received in suchfemale socket and quick disconnect coupling means for coupling the plugin such socket. A regulator assembly is formed with an inlet connectedwith the plug and includes an outlet port and a bleed valve. Conduitmeans is provided for connecting the outlet with the fluid containerwhereby the socket may be mounted on the pressurization bottle, the plugconnected therewith and the conduit means connected with the fluidcontainer to pressurize such container to a 2 Claims, 4 Drawing FiguresQUICK DISCONNECT PRESSURIZATION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally todevices for pressurizing fluid containers such as beverage containersfor conveniently dispensing the beverages.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been common practice to providepressure regulators that are connected with pressurization bottles bymeans of threaded tube connections thereby necessitating the use ofwrenches and the like to disconnect such regulators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The quick disconnect pressurization apparatusof present invention is characterized by a coupling device including afemale socket for connection with a pressurization bottle and a maleplug telescopically received in such socket and having quick disconnectcoupling means for coupling the plug in such socket. A regulatorassembly includes an inlet connected with the plug and is formed with anoutlet port and a bleed passage. A bleed valve is provided forcontrolling flow from such bleed passage whereby when it is desirable todisconnect from the pressurization bottle, the control valveincorporated in such bottle may be closed and the bleed valve opened tobleed pressure from the regulator body. The quick disconnect couplingmeans may then be actuated to release the plug from the female socket tothereby disconnect the regulator from the pressurization bottle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a quick disconnectpressurization of the type described which cannot be disconnected untilthe pressure has been bled from the regulator assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quick disconnectpressurization of the type described which is convenient to install andoperate.

Other objects and the advantages of the present invention will be comeapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a quick disconnectpressurization apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view, partially broken away, similar to FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, in enlarged scale, taken along the line 3-3of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fluid container beingpressurized by the quick disconnect pressurization apparatus shown inFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The quick disconnectpressurization apparatus of present invention includes, generally, acoupling 21 formed by a socket 23 which may be connected with thecontrol valve 25 of a pressurization bottle 27. Still speakinggenerally, the coupling 21 further includes a male plug 31 which istelescopically received in the female socket 23 and is coupled theretoby means of a quick disconnect latching device 33. Carried from the maleplug 31 is a pressure regulator 37 which includes a bleed valve 39 andis connected to a container 41 that is to be pressurized. Consequently,when the pressurization bottle 27 is exhausted, the control valve 25 maybe closed and the bleed valve 39 opened to bleed pressure from theregulator 37. The quick disconnect latching device 33 may then beactuated to release the plug 31 from the socket 23 for convenientconnection with the socket 23 of a replacement pressurization bottle 27.

Referring to FIG. 1, conventional CO pressurization bottles 27 generallyinclude control valves 25 which are formed with a neck having anexternally threaded nipple 45 projecting transversely therefrom andhaving pressure thereto controlled by means of the valve handle 47. Thesocket 23 of the present invention is particularly adapted forconnection with the nipple 45 and includes a hex nut 51 that is formedwith a through bore and is internally threaded for being screwed ontothe nipple 45. Projecting axially from such nut 51 is a socket barrel 55which is stepped down externally at 57 to form a shoulder. The barrel 55is formed on its interior with an annular groove 59 that receives anO-rin g 61. The interior of the barrel 55 is enlarged-in-diameter at itsleft extremity to form a sloped shoulder 67. A plurality of radiallyprojecting passages 71 are formed intermediately in the wall of thebarrel 55 and are spherically shaped and sized to retain respectiveretaining balls 73 for limited radially movement therein. The exteriorof the barrel 55 is formed on its projecting end with an outwardlyopening annular groove 77 which receives an exterior O-ring 79.

The male plug 31 is formed with a barrel 81 that is telescopicallyreceived within the socket barrel 55 and is formed with a throughpassage 83. The exterior of the barrel 81 is formed centrally with anannular release groove 85 disposed adjacent a slightlyenlargedin-diameter bearing ring 87 and is then enlarged-indiameter evenfurther to form a retaining collar 89. The exterior of the barrel 81 isthen gradually reduced in diameter to form a sloped shoulder 91 forengagement with the shoulder 67. Still referring to FIG. 2, the leftextremity of the plug 31 is formed with a hex nut 92 having anexternally threaded nipple 93 projecting therefrom.

Telescoped over the socket barrel 55 is a retaining sleeve, generallydesignated 95, which is formed with a constant diameter bore 97 forreceipt of such barrel 55 and is enlarged-in-diameter to form an annularretaining groove 99 for complimentary receipt of the retaining balls 73.The interior of the retaining sleeve is then formed with an annularlock-in ring 101 disposed adjacent the groove 99 and is then formed withan annular release recess 103 which has one side thereof formed by aradially inwardly projecting sealing lip 107 that engages the O-ring 77.

The regulator 37 is formed with an internally threaded bore whichdefines the inlet thereof and receives the threaded nipple 93 of theplug 31. The outlet of the regulator 37 is also formed by an internallythreaded bore and such bore connects with a fitting on one end of apressure conduit 117 that connects on its opposite end with the beveragecontainer 41. The

fitting 115 preferably includes a check valve for preventing backflowfrom the container 41 to the regulator 37 Referring to FIG. 3, thehousing of the regulator 37 is formed with a bleed passage 119 thatterminates in an enlarged-in-diameter bore 121 which is externallythreaded at 123 for receipt of an externally threaded insert 125 that isformed with a longitudinal through passage 127. The inner end of suchinsert 125 terminates in a valve seat 131 and a plunger, generallydesignated 123, is telescopically received in the passage 127 and isformed on its inner extremity with an enlarged-in-diameter poppet 135which has a resilient washer 137 carried on the back side thereof forengagement of the valve seat 131. The left hand end of the plunger 133projects through a hat-shaped cap 141 and is expanded at 143 to beretained therein. A coil spring 145 is interposed between the top of thecap 141 and a shoulder 149 formed by the insert 125 to thereby maintainsuch cap, and consequently, the plunger biased outwardly in the passage127.

In operation the quick disconnect pressurization ap paratus mayconveniently be utilized with conventional CO pressurization bottles 27which include control valves 25 having the nipples 45 formed therewith.The socket 23 is mounted on the nipple 45 by screwing the hex nut 51thereonto and the respective sockets 23 are preferably left mounted onthe respective pressurization bottles 27. When it is desirable toconnect a pressurization bottle 27 with a container 41 of mix or thelike, the retainer sleeve 95 is slid to the right as viewed in FIG. 4 onthe barrel 55 to register the relief groove 103 with the retaining balls73 to release such balls for movement radially outwardly in therespective passages 71. Assuming that the plug 31 has previously beenscrewed into the inlet of the regulator 37, such regulator is graspedand the plug barrel 81 telescoped into the socket barrel 55 to cause theincline shoulder 91 to engage the retaining balls 73 and urge themoutwardly in their respective passages to enable the retaining shoulder89 of such plug barrel to clear such balls and be positioned to theright thereof as shown in FIG. 4. The retaining sleeve 95 may then beslid to the left to be positioned as shown in FIG. 4 with the groove 99registered with the retaining balls 73 to maintain them urged inwardlyagainst the retaining ring 87 and engaged behind the retaining collar89.

Assuming the outlet conduit 117 has previously been connected with thebeverage container 41, the pressurization apparatus is then ready topressurize such container. The control valve is then opened by rotatingthe handle 47 to introduce pressure through the coupling 21 to theregulator 37. Referring to FIG. 4, it is noted that such pressure willurge the plug 31 to the left but movement to the left of such plug willbe limited by the retaining balls 73 engaging behind the retainingcollar 89 of such plug. CO pressure will thus be introduced through theconduit 117 to the beverage container 41 to produce pressure thereon forforcing the beverage out a conventional pouring nozzle 121. It is notedthat pressurization of the regulator 37 will pressurize the bleedpassage 119 (FIG. 3) and result in the bleed valve poppet 113 beingurged to the left to thereby firmly seat the resilient washer 137 on thevalve seat 131 to prevent escape of CO gas. Further pressurization ofthe coupling 33 maintains the plug 31 urged to the left therebymaintaining the bearing ring 87 registered with the balls 73 to maintainthem positioned radially outwardly in the groove 99 to maintain theretaining sleeve 95 locked in its coupling position.

When the pressure produced by the CO, bottle 27 falls below a selectedlevel, the control valve 25 may be closed by rotating the handle 47 todiscontinue pressurization of the regulator 37. The bleed valve cap 141is then depressed to raise the poppet 113 off the seat 131 to allow COgas to escape from the bleed passage and out through the bore 127 tobleed outwardly past the cap 141 and relieve pressure from the regulator37, it being noted that the check valve in the outlet fitting 115 willprevent pressure from being communicated back from the beveragecontainer 41 to such regulator. Bleeding of the CO gas from theregulator body 37 will relieve pressure in the socket and plug 31thereby freeing such plug to be telescoped to the right in the socket 23to register the release groove of the plug barrel 81 with the retainingballs 73 to enable such retaining balls to move radially inwardly toclear the lock-in-ring 101 in the retaining sleeve so such sleeve can beslid to the right to register the release groove 103 with such balls.With such release groove 103 registered with the balls 73, the plug 31may then be slid to the left and the balls will ride upwardly on theretaining ring 87 and over the retaining collar 89 to free such plug 31and consequently the regulator 37. The spherical shape of the passages71 is such that the balls will be retained therein to prevent them fromdropping into the bore of the socket barrel 55. A recharged CO bottle 27may then be coupled with the regulator 37 as described hereinabove.

It will be clear that quick disconnect pressurization apparatus ofpresent invention may be used to pressurize containers other than thebeverage container described hereinabove For example, such apparatus maybe utilized to pressurize'a conduit leading to a welders torch or thelike.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the quick disconnectpressurization apparatus of the present invention provides an economicaland convenient means for rapidly changing a pressurization bottlewithout use of wrenches or other tools. Further, the quick disconnectcoupling is positively locked in place as long as pressure is maintainedthereon.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to theaforedescribed preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

I claim:

1. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor for connection between apressurization control valve container including a threaded nipple and aregulator including a threaded inlet port an outlet port and a bleedpassage in communication with said inlet port, said adaptor comprising:

a coupling device including a barrel forming a female socket andincluding socket connector means for connecting with said nipple, a maleplug telescopically received in said female socket and including athreaded regulator connector for connection with said inlet port, andquick disconnect latching means including a plurality of through windowsa manually operable bleed valve for selectively controlling bleeding offluid from said bleed passage; and

conduit means for connecting said outlet port of said regulator assemblywith a fluid container whereby said socket may be mounted on said bottleby securing said valve connector means to said nipple and said plug maybe connected to said regulator inlet port and when it is desirable topressurize said fluid container from said pressurization container, saidsleeve may be retracted, said plug inserted in said socket and saidsleeve shifted to its retaining position to rapidly couple said plug andsocket together, said valve then opened to apply pressure to said fluidvessel at a pressure controlled by said regulator.

2. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor as set forth in claim 1wherein:

said valve connector includes a nut formed with internal threads formating with the threads on said nipple.

1. A quick disconnect pressurization adaptor for connection between apressurization control valve container including a threaded nipple and aregulator including a threaded inlet port an outlet port and a bleedpassage in communication with said inlet port, said adaptor comprising:a coupling device including a barrel forming a female socket andincluding socket connector means for connecting with said nipple, a maleplug telescopically received in said female socket and including athreaded regulator connector for connection with said inlet port, andquick disconnect latching means including a plurality of through windowsformed in the wall of said barrel, groove means formed on the outerperiphery of said plug for registration with said windows when said plugand socket are in their mating position, retaining elements shiftableinwardly and outwardly in said windows, and a retaining sleeve receivedtelescopically over said barrel and shiftable to a retaining positionurging said retaining elements inwardly in said windows to engage saidgroove means and to a release position to free said elements to moveoutwardly to disengage said groove means; a manually operable bleedvalve for selectively controlling bleeding of fluid from said bleedpassage; and conduit means for connecting said outlet port of saidregulator assembly with a fluid container whereby said socket may bemounted on said bottle by securing said valve connector means to saidnipple and said plug may be connected to said regulator inlet port andwhen it is desirable to pressurize said fluid container from saidpressurization container, said sleeve may be retracted, said pluginserted in said socket and said sleeve shifted to its retainingposition to rapidly couple said plug and socket together, said valvEthen opened to apply pressure to said fluid vessel at a pressurecontrolled by said regulator.
 1. A quick disconnect pressurizationadaptor for connection between a pressurization control valve containerincluding a threaded nipple and a regulator including a threaded inletport an outlet port and a bleed passage in communication with said inletport, said adaptor comprising: a coupling device including a barrelforming a female socket and including socket connector means forconnecting with said nipple, a male plug telescopically received in saidfemale socket and including a threaded regulator connector forconnection with said inlet port, and quick disconnect latching meansincluding a plurality of through windows formed in the wall of saidbarrel, groove means formed on the outer periphery of said plug forregistration with said windows when said plug and socket are in theirmating position, retaining elements shiftable inwardly and outwardly insaid windows, and a retaining sleeve received telescopically over saidbarrel and shiftable to a retaining position urging said retainingelements inwardly in said windows to engage said groove means and to arelease position to free said elements to move outwardly to disengagesaid groove means; a manually operable bleed valve for selectivelycontrolling bleeding of fluid from said bleed passage; and conduit meansfor connecting said outlet port of said regulator assembly with a fluidcontainer whereby said socket may be mounted on said bottle by securingsaid valve connector means to said nipple and said plug may be connectedto said regulator inlet port and when it is desirable to pressurize saidfluid container from said pressurization container, said sleeve may beretracted, said plug inserted in said socket and said sleeve shifted toits retaining position to rapidly couple said plug and socket together,said valvE then opened to apply pressure to said fluid vessel at apressure controlled by said regulator.